If you are looking for an incredible batsman, you don’t need to look much further than the late, great Don Bradman. He scored nearly 7000 runs in just 80 innings @ an incredible average of 99.94. Born in 1908 in New South Wales, he spent much of his youth alone in his garden, working on his batting technique. He hit his first century at the age of 12 playing for his school team. On his first class debut for New South Wales, he hit a century on debut, to start a career that continued in much the same way. On his international debut, his first match ended in disappointent, scoring just 19 runs in both innings. He was then dropped to third man for his second match, but after a injury to a fellow batsman, he grasped the opportunity to shine, and become the youngest player to hit a century in international cricket. His talents led to England creating the infamous “Bodyline” tactic in order to get Bradman and his fellow Australian team out. This consisted of bowling short, and on leg stump, and putting the majority of fielders behind square on the leg side. This cut off scoring, and proved incredibly successful until new laws were introduced to cricket.One amazing statistic was his scoring conversion rate. He scored just thirteen 50’s, but achieved 43 scores of 100+. Once in, he was a ruthless batsman, and this stat shows this.* * *

Following Don Bradman is never an easy task, but Viv Richards was an incredible cricketer himself. In an illustrious career, he finished his career as a select few that averaged over 50 runs per innings. Just as Don Bradman, Richards was known for his attacking, powerful style of batting, and is regarded by many as the most destructive batsman of all time. He was born in 1952, and made his international debut in 1974 against India in Bangalore. He currently holds the record for fastest century – just 56 balls. This is a record that came under threat during the 2006-7 Ashes series when Adam Gilchrist hit 100 runs off of 58 balls. 1976 was a special year for Richards. He scored 1710 runs @ 90.00. This was the record for most test runs scored in a calendar year, until Mohammed Yousuf broke it in 2006. He was also a handy legspin bowler, taking 373 wickets in his First Class Career. On top of this, he was recently voted as the all time best One Day Batsman scoring over 6700 runs @ 47.00.* * *

Staying in the Carribean, Garfield Sobers was another incredible batsman who deservedly earns his place in this list of awesome test batsmen. The statistics speak for themselves. With an amazing average of 57.78, and a highest score of an unbeaten 365 runs, it is clear why he is in contention for this prestigious title. A little known fact is that he was born with six fingers on each hand, a problem he sorted himself at childhood with the aid of a catgut and a sharp knife. At an early age he showed he had natural talent – not just in Cricket – but also basketball and football. He made his test debut at the age of 17 against England. He scored 14* and 26, and took 4 wickets. His batting career started fairly slowly, averaging under 30 in 9 tests. He found himself in the test team as a bowler, and often batted down the order at 8 or 9. His batting career did take off in 1957. In his next 24 tests, he scored 2250 runs @ 93.75 – an exceptionally high average. He was later given responsibility of West Indies captain, winning over two thirds of matches. As mentioned, he was also an exceptional batsman. Because of this, and his athletic fielding, he was voted as the Best All Rounder Of All Time. His left arm spin brought him 235 test wickets @ 34.03. Off the point but a fun statistic – despite his reputation for being a great batsman, his average in ODI’s was 0.00. He played one innings in 1973, and was out for a duck* * *

Perhaps this list needs putting into context. Ricky Ponting may be a surprising entry for some. However, he is by far the highest ranked player who is still playing today – he ranks 4th in the all time list. He is one of eight batsmen who have passed 10000 runs in test cricket, and is closing in on Tendulkar’s record of 12000+ runs.After leaving his family to join the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide, he quickly showed his talents, becoming the first Tasmanian to score a first class century. His international career started with him playing in ODI’s, but made his test debut in 1995 against Sri Lanka. He hit 96 on debut, forming a 121 run partnership with Stuart Law (also on debut) to make the 9th ever century partnership by two debutants. By the end of 1998, he had played in 22 tests, scoring 1209 runs @ 36.63.His career hit a barren spell, including a tour of India which saw him score just 17 runs in the whole series @ 3.4. Despite this, he was promoted to No. 3 in the batting order. After a slow start, Ponting has averaged 64.34 batting at 3.His successful career continues, and perhaps in years to come, he will be looked back on and be compared with the greats already mentioned in this article.* * *

Sachin Tendulkar is one batsman who has no problem blending in with this list of greats. The Little Genius – at just 5″ 5′, scored 12773 runs @ 54.59 during his test career. With 53 50’s and an impressive 43 centuries, he was voted as the second greatest test batman of all time by Wisden – after Don Bradman.At a young age, he was encouraged to work on his cricketing abilities. His elder brother often played with him and Sachin would spend hours in the nets perfecting his strokes. His coach would often place a one rupee coin on top of the stumps, and if any bowler could dismiss him, they would take the coin. If Sachin could bat the session without getting out, he would keep the coin. He now values the 13 coins he won as some of his most prized possessions. In his test career, he was quickly brought back down to earth by an extremely hostile Pakistan attack. However despite scoring just 15 runs, he was recognised to face and deal with the numerous blows he suffered by the bowlers. His maiden test century came against England at Old Trafford in 1990. From then on, his career went from strength to strength.Sachin achieved so much in his test career – it is impossible to mention everything. He holds the record for most runs in test matches (as well as ODI’s). He has scored the most centuries in test cricket (a record he also holds in ODI’s) and remains to be one of an exclusive list of players that still play international cricket today, who started his career in the 1980’s.

There are many other batsmen who could make this list. Below, I have listed a few.

Currently holds records of only quintuple century in First Class cricket – 501* for Warwickshire against Durham. He also holds highest test score with 400* against England. He is the only player in cricket history to have scored a century, double, triple, quadruple, and quintuple centry. Impressively, he has hit a century against every single Test nation, and holds the record for most centuries for West Indies.* * *

Widely regarded as one of the best opening batsman of all time. He set records for most centuries and most runs in his career, until both records were beaten by Sachin Tendulkar. He was renowned for his technique against fast bowling, averaging 65.45 against the vicious West Indies attack of the time.* * *

Finally an England player in the list! Jack Hobbs played 61 tests for England between 1908 and 1930. He scored 5410 runs in this time @ 56.95. He is the only English cricketer (and opening batsman) to appear in Wisden’s list of top 5 cricketers of the 20th century. As a first class batsman, up until today, he holds the record for most centuries than any other player in the history of the game* * * That concludes my list of the best test batsman of all time. This list is by no means exclusive. There are many other great batsmen who didn’t make this list. Just a post note, notice how the majority of the records are scored against England – most notably the two fastest centuries of all time.

It may be true that Test Cricket is becoming less and less popular with the introduction of the shorter form of the game, but if players continue to play the game of the same class of those mentioned in this list, the beauty of Test Cricket will live on, and the legacy of these players will continue to be etched into cricket history.

as with all lists, there will always be some disagreement.
I agree he could well have finished in the top 5 or even top 3
One reason that I didnt put him in is during his career, is his ICC ranking during his career was not as high as many other batsmen. For example his ranking is below the likes of Mike Hussey. This by no means suggests that this is a true indication of a player’s class, but as each player played across different decades, and me myself have seen only a handful of these players, statistics is what I had to go by.
Thank you for your opinion however.

Sir Bradman played on ten different grounds in two countries only in which six bowlers took 100 or more wickets in their career with half career time less matches with absence of Perth pitch on mat over concrete pitches in which his batting average is 89.78 against England and Headley (his contemporaries) average is 71.33 against them with one match timeless against them.
Lara played on 45-50 different pitches with 50-55 bowlers took 100 or more in their career with 25-30 200 or more wickets in nine different countries. I think Lara is the all time great with 12-15 records, elegance, aggressive and defensive and ability to play against spin and fast both and so many other qualities.

No doubt, Sir Bradman is statistically best but is the statistic the only criteria in cricket.
Lara is why best because highest no. of records in test as well in first class also some records, elegant, aggressive and defensive both qualities at a time, quality to play against spin and fast, quality to score in every corner of the world, strongest against two strongest bowling attacks that are Australia and S. Africa, always score against main strikers of other teams, highest tendency to score individual innings like 400 and 375, tendency to score big knocks that are 19 150 or plus innings in test cricket. I think no one can match his status in test cricket due to these reasons.

Perhaps.
However, in a way, for players such as Don Bradman, statistics ARE all we have to go by simply because none of us witnessed him in action.
I dont think the argument is in the best player, I am more interested in the Brian Lara opinion.
As a sixteen year old, I managed to catch the very end of his career, but not when he was in his complete prime. Therefore with him, and all the other players in the list, statistics are what I had to go by, along with expert opinion.
I researched thoroughly and for instance did you know, in the ICC all time rankings that recognises “excellent form over a prolonged period”, and is an “indication of how players peaked during their careers”, Brian Lara is outside the top 20. This is by no means a definitive list, but gives one indication why I ranked him outside the top 5.
Wisden also rank him outside the top 5 of best batsmen, although he does rank 5th in the ODI version of the list.
However, I’m just glad that we can’t decide on a top 5 because this indicates that there are so many great players who we (well most of us) have been fortunate enough to see playing cricket.

Beside average, question is that is Bradman elegant or not. Answer is, he is not an elegant batsman. He played cricket in two countries only. Had he faced Marshall, Imran, Hadlee and many others. For top 50 leading wicket takers, he faced only one bowler that is Alec Bedser in his career after world war II. No doubt, he is legend and one of finest and greatest man. Had he faced any quality leg spinner like Warne, Grimmett etc.
Lara is the only complete man in history who has each and every thing like records, situation, style and all other things. Only complete man who defined century, double century, triple, quadruple in test and also in first class quintuple as well. What about his complete domination on Murli (leading off spinner). What about his quality to turn any match from any worst situation like his 153 not out against Australia. He also scored 19 times 150 or plus in test cricket too which is still his record beside 501 in first class, 400 in test and also so many records. He is only player who became first man in history to hold seven to eight records at a time. How anyone can match his status in test cricket with him. He is also former leading runs maker in test history too.

Lara runs per inning at home against England is 71.45 with two highest scores 400 and 375 whereas Sir. Bradman runs per inning is 71.33 at home against England with highest scores 270 and 234.

Overall his runs per inning against them is 79.8 and Lara 58.49. It means if Lara scored 3010 runs against them then Bradman 4110 runs but Lara took England one out of seven strong teams as Don Bradman had only one strong team with so many matches timeless.

Bradman played 80% of his innings against the same team with very very slow pace of cricket. Give all these facilities to Lara, I can challenge that he can turn his runs per innings against England near to 100 as he had the highest tendency to score highest individual innings. What could he do if there were timeless matches with weak bowling attack as mostly players were playing cricket not as a profession of that era. Mostly bowlers of England were officers, not direct related to cricket like Verity lost his life in world war II. Then remaining three teams were at very initial stages which Bradman faced.

If there is debate who is the best than all facts and figures should count, not only average. Now choice is your own to choose the best or leave the debate of best and just conclude that both are legends.

I remain firm on my personal opinion, but to be fair, that was an insightful breakdown of the statistics.
I think it is unfair to say that Bradman is not the best just because he was playing against weaker attacks. This is what I meant when I said it is extremely hard to compare players through eras. Who\’s to say he wouldn\’t demolish any bowling attack? Exactly, we don\’t know.
The reverse argument is that Bradman would have generally played on worse quality pitches, and didn\’t have the same quality equipment. For example, in Lara\’s era, helmets were used, and generally made batting easier.
These are all little things that need to be taken into account

Dear Tom, No problem, if you are against Lara.
Just compare Lara with Richard and Sobers, Richard never scores any double hundred at home and Sobers no double hundred at opponent’s home. Lara four at home and five at overseas. Richard totally three double hundreds, Sobers two and Lara nine.
No triple in Richard case, Sobers one and Lara two including one quadruple.

One thing I can argue that If Bradman is not using helmet than he was not the only one, all had the same problem. What about the presence of long distance fielding at that time. Gavaskar played his cricket without helmet so should we give some plus points to him or not.

Gavaskar faced bowlers like Derek Underwood, Imran Khan, Micheal Holding, Ian Botham and Malcom Marshall He lost his wickets 50 (12+11+11+8+8) times by these five bowlers in his career and faced others like Wasim Akram, Richard Hadlee, Denis Lillee, Joel Garner, Andy Robert, Bob Willis, John Snow, Thomson, Craig McDermot, Merv Hughes, Lance Gibbs, Abdul Qadir and Garry Sober in his whole career. All eighteen are like jewels of cricket bowling history and all took at least 200 wickets in test cricket in which four are spinners.

Yes this is true that Gavaskar faced the prime time of fast bowling and Lara faced prime time of all type of bowling like history best off spinner, history best leg spinner and also so many fast bowlers like McGrath, Donald, Wasim and many many others.

Even if we are not saying who is the actual best but all facts and figures are true which I have mentioned.There is no doubt that Sir Bradman is legend cricketer.

It is very difficult to judge which one is the best although statistic suggests Don Bradman as no. 1. I think for no. 1, there are three bastmen Bradman, Lara and Tendulkar. I think anyone of them is no. 1.

Beside it, who is the only complete man in test history is Brian Lara with comprises of each and every thing just like quality to dominate spinners. He had complete domination on Murli. He proved himself in all conditions in five different continents. He also had a quality to create master piece innings which I think is not the case of others like 400 not out, 375, 277, 226, 213 and 153 not out. He proved situation and also stylish batting in these innings.

For my own top five are Don Bradman, Lara, Tendulkar, Gavaskar and Chappell.
Sir Bradman is best among his contemporaries and also Lara is the best among his peers.

Why Lara is better than Tendulkar because Lara scored nine double hundreds and Tendulkar only four but Lara scored them on big occasions. Tendulkar double hundreds are against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, New Zealand and the only one against Australia. Lara scored three double hundreds against Australia

What about Lara master piece innings like 400not out, 375 and 277 run out, I think Tendulkar is unable to produce any inning like these innings. Then Lara’s highest situational innings like 153 not out, 213, Tendulkar proved situations too but did not score any inning of this calibre in test.

Some one said Lara was not consistent, if so how he scored 11953 runs in test. Lara scored two triple centuries in test whereas Tendulkar unable to produce even one triple hundred. Tendulkar is unable to produce triple hundred in first class too whereas Lara scored quintuple in it. He defined hundred, doubles, triples, quadruples and quintuple in first class. He is the only man in first clas who scored two quadruple in first class in which one is scored in test match. Tendulkar never crossed 250 runs in one inning in test.

Lara is the strongest against two strongest bowling attack that are Australia and S. Africa whereas Tendulkar does not qualify on this point too as his batting average is only 35.35 against S. Africa, although he is the strongest one against Australia.

I think Lara is no. 1 and Tendulkar is no. 2 of this century and then no. 3 is Ponting, no. 4 is Dravid and no. 5 is Haq.

Dear Tom, many thanks to giving me an opportunity. When you start feeling boring that it is too much, just say stop to me.

I am only providing facts and figures and now it is your opinion to select the best one. My own top three are Sir Don, Lara and Tendulkar.

See some more facts regarding the bowlers who took 100 or more which Bradman faced. All research work has been organized by myself, I have not taken it from any article. His career span is from 1928 – 1948.

Only six bowlers took more than 100 wickets in test matches, which he faced. In which three came after world war II, one died during it, one just came before world war II and remaining one left the cricket against Australia in 1930 that is Maurice Tate. Beside all facts, I always count him in the best batsmen, although he is the best among his peers.

1. Tate (1924-35) took 32 wickets against Australia from 1928 to onward with bowling average 39.71.

2. Hedley Verity (1931-1939) took 144 and then in 1943 he died during World War II. Actually he was an army officer. He took 21 wickets in Australia against them with bowling average 34.57 throughout his career.

3. Wright (1938-51) took 108 wickets maintaining career bowling average 39.11. He is the only leg break bowler that he faced with 100 or more wickets in test and also he was right arm medium bowler too.

We may count William Voce (1930-47) in the list as well who took 98 wickets in career. He only face William Voce at home grounds only.

4. Alec Bedser and Jim Laker (1948-59) came after World War 2 when he was finishing his career. Jim Laker took 9 wickets with bowling average 52.44 in only three test matches, which he faced against Bradman in 1948.

5. Also Vinoo Mankad of India took 162 wickets in career with average 32.32. His average was 52.5 with grabbing 12 wickets in five test matches against Bradman throughout his career in the start of his own career in 1947-48. So in list of 150 leading bowlers he faced only 7 bowlers. Yet now 148 bowlers took 100 or more wickets in test.

So this is also fact that the leading fast bowler that he faced is Gubby Allen (grabbing 82 wickets in his career) as Bedser is medium fast bowler.

Aha, no its fine, i’m getting an excellent insight into 100 years of cricket, and its being typed right onto my doorstop. So go nuts, I don’t mind
I just wish everybody took this amount of interest in my article. If they did, I’d be the most popular person on this website
I just want to thank you for your contributions.
I am currently researching for a Top 5 test bowlers list. What would your top 5 be in this category to see if they correspond to mine.
Thanks Again
Tom

Dear Tom, top five bowlers of mine are (without rating to them) from different eras.
Sydney Barnes, Richard Hadlee, Malcom Marshall, Warne, and Murli. All these five are unique bowlers in history of test cricket.

It is very difficult to recognize who is the best spinner as Warne took wickets in all continents equally and in Murli’s case, his main contribution of wickets is in Asia that are 590 wickets. I am in favour of Warne although it is very difficult to say who is better. Warne also scored more than 3000 runs in test cricket which is another plus point from him. I think Warne is gift of God for cricket.

Dear Tom, please have a look at records of Lara. How anyone can match his status with him from records point of view including all. I think he is matchless.

1. Former highest runs gutter in history of test cricket with highest individual innings that is 400 not out and highest individual innings in first class 501 not out with two quadruple in first class (except Bill Ponsford), two triple centuries in test cricket along with Bradman and Sehwag and also highest numbers of 150 plus scores in test cricket that is 19 times. He held all these record at a time. A unique feat no one has it before him.

2. Statistically the only complete man in history of test cricket who has almost every record except highest no. of centuries like 5 times in calendar year more than 1000 runs

3. In any 12 months period highest runs 1951, scored by him.
4. Century before lunch, another record of him.
5. At least 5 double centuries against 5 different test teams (This record shows the strenght of any test batsman).

6. More than 100 test matches with more than 30 centuries and with near to 50 half centuries with test average at least 50 and runs score more than 10,000. He played 131 test matches with 34 centuries with 48 half centuries and scored 11953 runs with batting average 52.88.

7. Double century and century in one test is another record of him (221 and 130 against Sri Lanka in 2001).

8. He has scored centuries against all Test-playing nations. In 2005, He achieved this feat by scoring his first Test century against Pakistan at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

8. Former record holder for highest number of fours in test that are 1559.

9. Ex-record holder for highest runs with the help of centuries that are 5889 runs

10. Former record holder for highest runs with the help of 50 or plus scores that are 9301 runs in test in 82 innings.

11. First man in First Class history who scored seven centuries in eight consecutive first class innings, the first being the record 375 against England and the last being the record 501 not out in 1994 against Durham.

12. First man in history who defined quintuple, quadruples, triples, doubles, centuries and half centuries at a time in his first class career

13. First man in history who defined quadruple, triples, doubles, centuries and half centuries at a time in test cricket.

14. Three double centuries against Australia in which two at their home grounds and two triple centuries against England in which one is quadruple, two double hundred against Sri Lanka, against Pakistan and S. Africa one each, unique feat.

1. Presence of professional bowlers as more than 50 bowlers took 100 or more than 100 wickets in which 25-30 bowlers took more than 200 wickets in their career that he had ever faced in test cricket in which eleven are related to 300 club and again seven to 400 and four to 500 club. Even top five leading wicket takers are related to his own era including Courtney Walsh and for top ten eight of them are related to him including Ambrose means he faced other six. For leading 50 wicket takers, he faced 25-30 of them.

2. Presence of well-known bowlers in his time like history best off spinner Murlitharan, history best leg spinner Shane Warne, history best left arm fast bowler Wasim Akram (swing and seam with total 12 varieties of bowling, amazing!), Anil Kumble (history best bowler of India) and others like Glen MeGrath (Leading wicket taker as a fast type bowling in test), Allan Donald (history best bowler of South Africa) and many many others.

3. Seam; swing, fast, fast medium, medium, off break, leg break etc all types and all varieties of bowlers are faced by him. He lost his wicket 55 times by the bowlers like McGrath, Nel, Warne, Fraser, Caddick, Donald and Gough (15+8+7+7+6+6+6) respectively.Five continents with nine countries with 45 to 50 grounds with different batting conditions. Seven strong opponents that are England, New Zeeland, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka with two others at initial stage like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Even when he faced Zimbabwe bowling attack, it was comprises of Heath Streak, Andy Blignaut and Reymond Price.

4. Quality to dominate Murlitharan easily as he was the best one against him like his 688 runs (42% of his team) out of 1625 runs in six innings in 2001 in Sri Lanka while Murlitharan took 24 wickets in series. Crushing Australian bowling attack at his home grounds very easily remember his innings of 153 not out and 213. His batting average is 66.04 at home against them including bowlers like Shane Warne and MacGill (also a great leg break bowler after Warne in Australia).

82 fifty plus innings in 232 innings, it means that we can compare it with Steve Waugh also managed 82 fifty plus innings in career in 260 innings.

In which 16 innings are 80 to 99, 15times Tendulkar did.

Then 34 are centuries, we can compare it with Sunil Gavaskar as he has also 34 centuries in test cricket in 214 innings.

In 34 centuries, 19 innings are +150, which we can compare it with Tendulkar. He has eighteen times +150 innings. In these +150 innings, 175 or plus innings are 15 that is 6 at home ground and 9 are others four continents.

In which nine are double centuries for which nearest players are Javed Minadad, Atapattu and Sangakkara with 6 each.

Then two are triple centuries which we can compare with Sehwag from modern players and then Quadruple for which no other batsman is available. Although we can compare it with Mattew Hayden 380 against Zimbabwe.

How can we compare any other batsmen with him? Lara scored all these innings in all continents in different batting conditions against different type of bowlers.

hi, i appreciate your comments, but ive written this article with my personal opinions. I tried to change the subject away from the lara thing but it hasnt worked. Can we please stop now. I’m guessing both of us have better things to do than carry on with this endless argument.
I appreciate you have your opinions, but may I suggest we drop it now?
Many thanks in anticipation
Tom

Dear Tom, no more comments on Lara as there are other batsmen too like most destructive one Viv. Richard.

Lillee, Imran Khan, Wasim, Ambrose and McGrath are also included in my own top ten bowlers. (Five I have already mentioned)

Please see my own dream team for world XI from different eras and from different teams in which your five mentioned batsmen are there.
I hope you will like it.

As an opener Gavaskar and Hobbs,
Bradman at no. 3 (Lara is there but mostly are in his favour)
Tendulkar at no. 4, Sobers at no. 5
Llyod at no. 6 (Captain), Gilchrist at no. 7 (Wicket Keeper)
Warne at no. 8, Marshall at no. 9
Barnes at no. 10 and no. 11 Murli.

Yes, the players are all exceptional legends, but when it comes to test cricket, never forget India’s Mr. Dependable Rahul Dravid.

He is India’s best Number 3 batsmen ever.

He has his own style. He was criticized for slow strike rate , but in test cricket the number of important innings he has played for India specially away from India really matters.

The records itself speaks up, fastest to make 9000 runs. First player to score hundreds against all test playing nations on their soil.

Don’t compare records while counting figures.

He has remained India’s most dependable batsmen in tests.Specially in the critical and difficult conditions where no other Indian batsmen can resist, not even Sachin(The Legend), he stood up at one end.

Don’t forget the performances against SA , his first century at J’burg, that was the only test match , India would have won in that tour comprehensively.

Today Ganguly is known as India’s best captain after leveling test series in ENG and AUS. But who was the Player of the series in both the series: It was Rahul Dravid.

Only 5% of hundreds has brought negative results for team, rest India have either drawn or won the match, when Rahul Dravid has made hundred.

For me, he is India’s best test player because he has played from the front in all difficult situations where no player can resist some dashing bowling line ups on bouncy and swinging conditions.

In every foreign tour , Rahul Dravid has left a different image with some solid performances as compared to other Indian batsmen against both spinners and seamers.

Reza Thahir

Posted November 19, 2009 at 8:36 am

For the greatest is without doubt Brian Lara. richards, bradman, sobers never faced the greatest spinners in ever in murali & warne. lara dominated both. lara played brilliantly for 100 test in a struggling team & thats wut makes him the greatest.

If it was just about stats we could feed the info into a computer and get the answer – its got to be about the best you’ve seen live or on TV, for that reason I can’t comment on Hutton, Bradman etc.Therefore from the early 60’s.
TEST xi
B.Richards
Gavaskar alt. Hayden,Haynes,
Ponting
Tendulkar
V.Richards alt. Pollock,Lara
Sobers
Gilchrist
Procter alt Khan,Botham
Warne
Marshal
Lillee

Harold Larwood believed that Bradman was caught by long leg at Leeds off Larwood’s first ball in 1930. Subtracting 334 runs from Bradman’s total reduces his life-time test average to somewhere in the 80’s. An impressive total but nothing like the 99.94 with which he is normally credited

Who is actual best, it is not possible to judge it. However I have some comparsion between Tendulkar and Bradman. I am not saying who is best, just putting some facts which you will enjoy. Both are legends in two different eras.

I think your judgment is excellent regarding all time best test batsmen. My own top five are Lara, Gavaskar, Viv Richard, Tendulkar and Don Bradman which are almost same with your own choice.

Rating the best batsman of all time will always remain debatable, it is very difficult to judge who is better than others. Complete batsman is Brian Lara who can play aggressively and also in defensive mode too. His records, style, ability to play in other continents and so on.

Best batsman against fast bowlers is Sunil Gavaskar in defensive mode. He score 13 centuries against W. Indies. Gary Sobers said Gavaskar is the best including all. He played bowlers like Imran, Lillee, Thomson, Botham, Wills and also fast battery of W. Indies. Please note Colin Croft never played against India.

The most destructive batsman in aggressive mode against genuine fast bowling is Vivian Richards. I think his destruction is main point, not average.

Statistic in numbers like highest no. of centuries, runs and so on suggest Sachin Tendular-India is the choice.

Dear Tom, I am unable to understand why people are not taking too much interest in cricket.

I think Gavaskar and Tendulkar, are equal batsmen to Sir. Don Bradman as they played superior bowlers of all time against which they scored runs. Yes he scored 12 double hundreds but against whom is also very important.

Bradman scored his runs in an era of uncovered pitch but faced ordinary bowlers in which Maurice Tate was better but his actual time was past in bowling when Bradman started in 1928. Then Larwood came and ended his career in 1932.-33 after body line series.

Then onward upto end of his career in 1948, Bradman faced pace and spin bowlers who were ordinary only. Although in his last period he faced another quality bowler Alec Bedser only. Jim Laker was there but he played only 3 test against him.

One of the best batsman of all time great and best batsman of this century. He played in five continents in ten countries on 57 different grounds.

Sachin Tendulkar has played cricket on 57 grounds in which 29 are in Asia, 6 in Europe, 10 in Oceania, 7 in Africa and 5 in America in test cricket. 57 bowlers took 100 or more in which 28 took 200 or more and so on.

One of the best batsman of all time great and probable best batsman of 20th century. He played in two continents in two countries on ten different grounds. On pure statistic, no one can match his status with him in batting.

Don Bradman played cricket on 10 grounds in which 5 in Australia and 5 in England in which 100 or more wickets took by six bowlers with 200 or more only one, Alec Bedser.

Fastest bowler that Bradman played only one, who could be placed among the fastest bowlers, Harold Larwood. He could bowl over 100 mph, a fastest one just like Jeff Thompson. From England, Frank Tyson, fastest one. Other speed guns like Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan who had ability to cross 100 mph.

Bradman, scored 974 runs in the 1930 test series in England against Larwood with support of aging Maurice Tate, who was better bowler in 1920, Another amatuer fast bowler, Gabby Allen was also there. Highest wicket taker in fast bowling in Bradman case, 82 wickets.

After 1932-33 Lawrood left and then through the rest of his entire career, almost batting against England only, he faced that pace attacks in which no one could be called fast and then he faced Alec Bedser in 1946-48, medium fast seam bowler.

Slow left arm orthodox in the style of Underwood, Hedley Verity was also there. How can we put Verity in the class of Underwood, Locke, or Bedi.Verity proved himself only once against Australia on sticky wicket of England where he took 15 wickets. But in Australia, Verity’s record was poor with striking rate 113 with bowling average 34.57. Others spinners are Peebles, Wright, Hollies or Smith. I think all of them were average or below average bowlers. Jim Laker was also there but played only three test matches against him at initial level.

The best spinners of his era are Grimmet and O’Reilly.
who could only played against Bradman in domestic seasons only, on Australian pitches which hardly favoured spinners. If Bradman faced these two greats on English pitches, it would have tested all his skills against spinners.

So debate is Don no. 1 for all time is still still unsolved due to above reasons. Please see the big picture and then decide it. But there is no doubt he is one of the best and he is a legend in cricket. In my own opinion he is slightly better than Tendulkar.

Im glad ive got so many people giving their opinion on this. This is great!
i appreciate everyones opinion here, feel free to keep arguing your cause by all means!
All players mentioned by the 50 comments above are/were awesome players, but if im just picking a small selection, you must appreciate that it is hard to choose!
Keep the debate going guys, its really interesting to hear everyones opinion!

Dear Tom, I think you should also put the name of Herbert Sutcliff in your list. Please see his impact on cricket before world war II.

One peer of Sir Don Bradman, Hertbert Sutcliff (1924-1935) batting average was 78.28 in first 32 innings against prime bowling of Australia but after arrival of O Reilly in 1932, his average declined to 66.85 at the end of career. Bradman overall batting average was 89.78 against England.

Argument Bradman batting average was matchless among his peers was becauase Sutcliff had to face prime bowlers like three leg spinners Mailey (leg break + Googly), Grimmett and O Reilly then Iron Monger Slow Left arm Orthodox and then Gregory too. Beside it, there is no doubt in abilities of legend Sir Don Bradman.

Playing Grimmett and Reilly in one test was very difficult, Grimmett flipper specialist like Anil Kumble and O Reilly topspinner with both could delivered leg break and googly. It looks like you are facing 2 Kumble and 2 Warne at a time due to timeless matches as Sir Don rated O Reilly and Grimmett better than Shane Warne.

One timeless test match started from 3 January 1933 between Aus and Eng, both Aus leg spinners delivered more than 1300 balls in this match. It means you are facing 4 leg spinnners in one match as Shane Warne overs per match is 47 and Kumble 52 only. 40750 balls / 145 = 47 and 40850 balls / 132 = 52.

Another timeless match in 18 August 1934, both leg spinner delivered 1078 balls in this match (took 12 wickets in the same match and won the match) which is equal 180 overs for nowadays. It means you were facing almost 2 Kumble and 2 Warne in one match.

Mostly bowlers faced by Sir Don Bradman (1928-1948) did not play too much cricket. Reason was not that those days not too much cricket but it was that they were not getting chance in team regularly so they were unable to take even 100 wickets. like Allen, Larwood, Voce and many others.

Peer of Bradman, Hammond (1927-1947) played 85 test matches. If he could play 85 matches and others were quality bowlers, why not they played 55 to 70 or more test matches. It means there were sufficient matches those days too.

See current example of Ponting 146 and Warne 145 TEST MATCHES as both came near to same years.

Gubby Allen career span was from 1930-1948 but he played only 25 test matches. Reason was that he was not getting chance in team regularly.

Larwood came in 1926 and end his career with 78 wkts. Without body line series he took only 45 wickets in test cricket.

William Voce came 1930 and end his career in 1947. He played only 27 test matches although he was better bowler.

See example of Gary Sobers (1954-1974), he played 93 test matches with 235 wickets with him in 20 years

Example of Imran Khan (1971-1992), he played 88 test matches with 362 wickets plus 3807 runs too. I think Imran and Sobers are best all rounders in the world too.

In these two example they played almost same test matches to Hammond in same period so for thsoe days not too much cricket is not true as all are getting almost 9 test per 2 years.

Before world war II, Hammond played 77 test matches. It means almost 13 test matches in two years. He was also most appeared bowler ever faced by Sir Don Bradman as he played 31 test matches against him with grabbing 83 wickets in test cricket too. Second one is Verity with 17 appearances against Sir Don.

I think argument Sir Don is the best is not true even he was only one of the best batsman of his era as Herbert, Hammond, Headley and Hobbs had near to same or same or more impact on game as compare to him like Headley batting average was 91.38 at home versus England before world war II as compare to Sir Don only 72.78. Then again Headley had not timeless matches like Sir Don had several. If had then he easily went for average more than 100 at home versus England. Overall 71.23 and him 89.78 but Headley came from W. Indies and he had to adopt conditions in England which was entire different region.

Headley batting average was 37.3 against Australia and Hammond 66.85. It means he was almost twice better average than him against Australia. After 1932, Hammond average declined from 78.28 to 66.85 due to Bill O Reilly. If he could maintain 78.28 with facing Mailey, Grimmett (Flipper Specialist). Without facing them, he could also went for 89.78 or more which is actual average of Sir Don against England.

Hobb was most elegant batsman of those days as compare to Sir Don without style.

Hammond was also bowler with grabbing 83 wickets in test cricket too. He played cricket on twenty different grounds in four continents as compare to him ten grounds in two continents. Hammond traveled 11 times to other countries as compare Sir Don only four times in twenty years.

He played only 58 innings against prime bowling of Australia out of 140 innings. In England, it became almost impossible to everyone to face O Reilly and Grimmett together and in Australia due to timeless matches, these spinners delivered more than 1000 balls in some matches which is equivalent to 4 leg spinners at a time.

So argument to compare his average 99.9 against him only 58.5 of same era is not true. Also Hammond had to face IronMonger too with bowling average 17.97 in his career.

In one timeless match started 30 December 1932, these three bowlers took 15 wickets against England by delivering near to 900 balls in that match. Else Wall took another five wickets. It means this attack faced by him is one of the best in history.

If anyone has valid reason for any batsman should be no. 1, I have no problem to accept it as I think for no. 1, criteria should also be best of the best. I think if legend Bradman was there then 4 Hs were also there with same impact on game too.

Headley batting average was 37.3 against Australia and Herbert Sutcliff batting avereage was 66.85. It means he was almost twice better average than him against Australia. After 1932, Herbert Sutcliff average declined from 78.28 to 66.85 against Australia due to arrival of Bill O Reilly. If he could maintain 78.28 with facing Mailey, Grimmett (Flipper Specialist). Without facing them, he could also went for 89.78 or more which is actual average of Sir Don against England.

Sir Don Bradman although I accept him as a legend and one of the best due to 99.9 but dragging others due to his average like Tendulkar 55.5 is not true due to following valid reasons.

1. Mat over concrete pitches with 8 balls per over.

2. Faced amateur bowlers of England with presence of weakest bowling attacks in history of England’s cricket like absence of flipper specialist and so many other lackings. It was not his fault that England was weak those days..

3. 52 Test MATCHES in 20 years (1928-1948) means very slow pace of cricket with almost timeless matches on home grounds. Also there is no concept of globalization. Also England and Australia have same culture too so he was not facing entire different conditions like George Headley faced..

4. Half career timeless matches with 80% innings against the same team of England. Also total cricket in England and Australia only on ten grounds. Missed the tours of S. Africa and New Zealand too .

5. No proper rule of LBW before 1934.

6. Unable to create double hundred like Headley in fourth inning. Headley scored this double hundred in last inning of last test match in a first series against England and match drawn too and series remain 1-1.

7.Never become highest runs gutter in history of test cricket. It does not mean I am denying his average.

8. Not an elegant batsman so how can we say his innings as a master piece innings like Lara 400 or 375 although presence of situational innings. If anyone says his any inning as a master piece inning, please let me know.

9. Not faced the best bowling attack of his era due to same team. Only six bowlers took 100 or more faced by him like Tendulkar faced 57 bowlers on 57 different grounds in test cricket. Totally more than 150 bowlers took 100 or more in test history.

10. Difficulty to face googly, bouncers and also unable to play master inning on sticky pitches.

Limitations were there but he is a big name of cricket and he was most recognized batsman due to heavy average and became legend of cricket.

abu

Posted October 7, 2010 at 1:04 am

hey don\’t you forget about the destructor shewag?

jeetu patidar

Posted October 10, 2010 at 2:29 am

NO ONE ON THIS PLANET LIKE RAHUL DRAVID IN TEST CRICKET. THE WALL IS GREATER THEN Don Bradman AND sachin.

Good selection.However I would rather have placed Jack Hobbs in the top 5 batsman of all.Hobbs outplayed Bradman on wet tracks and scored over half his 197 centuries after the age of 40.12 of his test centuries were scored against Australia.

I applaud your upholding of Viv Richards ,the most destructive batsman of pace bowling ever.No batsman handled pace bowling with such effortlessness,and he destroyed the like sof Dennis Lillee like a bomber destroying an airbase.To me Viv was the the best one day batsman of all.I also congragulate you on selecting Gary Sobers,who I rate the most complete batsman after Bradman.He was a great player against all types of bowling, in all types of conditions,and a champion in a crisis.

Overall Sachin Tendulkar may just edge out Viv Richards because of his phenomenal consistency in both forms of the game and the pressure he withstood.He played more like Bradman more than any batsman in the game and statistically he is the best of all batsman.

Had Brian Lara played for a great West Indian team I am certain he would have been closest to Bradman,and the best West Indian batsman of all.If it was pure test match Cricket,I would rate him above Viv Richards and Tendulkar,with his ability to compile mammoth scores at a breathtaking scoring rate and perform like a champion for such a weak team when the chips were down like noone else.

Interesting that fans of Tendulkar say he is better and fans of Dravid say he is better in test cricket. Here I am not saying who is better. It is very difficult to judge the actual difference.

1. Dravid runs per inning is 46.6 as compare to Tendulkar 50.85 in test cricket so actual difference is only 4.25 but Dravid is proving himself at most crucial position that is no. 3. No. 3 position can even destroy the batsman whole career, most difficult position is test cricket.

2. His AVERAGE is better at overseas than homeland is another advantage to him.

3. I think he is blocker plus anchor in batting in his team like 81 times century partnerships as he has ability to prolong inning in favour of his team.

4. Multiply his 46.6 * 280 = 13050 runs as compare to Tendulkar 14240 but his innings per century 8.6 = 249 / 29 is not as better as Tendulkar has 5.7 = 280 / 49.

5. Continent-wise his average is 70 at America and in Europe 65.35, amazing! Dravid also has another advantage at least batting average 45 in all continents Asia 49.7, Africa 46.6 and Oceania 54.3 which is not case of Tendulkar as his average in Africa is less than 40 but in Asia more than 60. Else Tendulkar maintained batting average 60.6 as compare him 41.1 against Australia .

The list of the author of this article is stupid. The batsman above satisfy stats, had X factors and are the highest run scorers of all time. Closely followed by the above would have been lara, ponting and Chappel

Harsh Thakor

Posted November 13, 2010 at 1:55 am

The batsman one is always overlooking is the West Indian maestro,Rohan Kanhai.He posessed more prowess and creative genius for batting than any batsman in Cricket History as revealed by the writings of C.L.R.James,Rajan Bala and Ian Donald.Had he done justice to his ability he may well have been the best batsman of all as at his best his batting entered regions even surpassing Bradman.He played fast bowling better than Tendular or Lara.In 1961 his 252 against Victoria was perhaps the ultimate exhibition of batting art.He was a master in a crisis,on bad wickets .In 1972 against Australia he gave one of the greatest exhibtions of counter-attack against pace bowling when facing Lillee, on a fast Perth track.He came in at one down where he averaged over 53 runs.He is the most consummate of all batsman which his average of 47.53 does not reveal.

The most complete of all batsman was Gary Sobers.He had great technique,consistency,could master the greatest of bowling ,could perform outstandingly in a crisis and on bad wickets ,and could consistently win matches .

On wet pitches Jack Hobbs and George Headley were the best.Hobb scored 12 centuries against Australia and scored amajority of his record 197 first-class hundreds on wer pitches.Headley outscored Bradman on wet pitches and was abetter batsman on bad wickets.

Against pure fast bolwing Viv Richards was superior to Bradman if you asses how he demolished Dennis Lilee ,without a helmet ,averaging 86.2 in his first year in Packer Cricket.No batsman could change the complexion of a match more than Viv,particularly in one day Cricket.Remember the Don failed agaisnt bodyline wher Stan Mcabe overshadowed him .I think Viv would have batted like a champion against Larwood.

In the modern era Brian Lara has had the greatset batting prowess and is the best test match batsman,No batsman of the modern era has batted better in a crisis or displayed the ability to compile such mammoth scores,that too at such a breathtaking scoring rate.He has 9 200’s compared to Sachin’s 6,including atriple and a quadruple.Had he played for as trong West Indian team he would have been the best of all West Indian batsman.

In combined cricket Tendulkar is the greatset of all as Bradman or Sobers never played one day Cricket.His statistics of almost scoring 100 International centuries and 30,000 runs will never be equalled.No great batsman has ever been as consistent,or faced such great pressure.He posses every ingredient needed for the perfectbatsman even if he does not equal the prowess of Kanhai,Richards ,Sobers and Lara to shape the complexion of games.

No great batsman faced pace bowling as well as Gavaskar,who broke all the batting records in his daythat too without wearing a helmet.In the modern era he may well have averaged 58+

Had Barry Richards had a full International career he would have been the greatset ever opening batsman and perhaps even surpassed the likes of Viv Richards,Lara or Tendulkar.No batsman combined such pefect techniqe with such phenomenal destructive ability.

.

When the chips were down we had greats like Ian Chappell,Javed Miandad and Allan Border who could bat for their lives.In his era Ian Chappell was the best batsman in a crisis even overshadowing both the Richards,and brother Greg in the 1970’s.

Bradman statistically stands out with his phenomenal average of 99.94 which could be scaled to 75 in the modern day.With his phenomenal strike rate with Viv Richards he would have been the best match-winner.However he would have been the statistical champion and not the best batsman under pressure like Lara or Tendulkar.Remember Gavaskar and Viv Richards have faced the equivalent of bodyline bolwing better than Bradman,that too without any protective gear.That doesn’t take away the fact that Bradman deserves the title of the king more than any batsman with his phenomenal performances.

Harsh Thakor

Posted November 13, 2010 at 1:56 am

The batsman one is always overlooking is the West Indian maestro,Rohan Kanhai.He posessed more prowess and creative genius for batting than any batsman in Cricket History as revealed by the writings of C.L.R.James,Rajan Bala and Ian Donald.Had he done justice to his ability he may well have been the best batsman of all as at his best his batting entered regions even surpassing Bradman.He played fast bowling better than Tendular or Lara.In 1961 his 252 against Victoria was perhaps the ultimate exhibition of batting art.He was a master in a crisis,on bad wickets .In 1972 against Australia he gave one of the greatest exhibtions of counter-attack against pace bowling when facing Lillee, on a fast Perth track.He came in at one down where he averaged over 53 runs.He is the most consummate of all batsman which his average of 47.53 does not reveal.

The most complete of all batsman was Gary Sobers.He had great technique,consistency,could master the greatest of bowling ,could perform outstandingly in a crisis and on bad wickets ,and could consistently win matches .

On wet pitches Jack Hobbs and George Headley were the best.Hobb scored 12 centuries against Australia and scored amajority of his record 197 first-class hundreds on wer pitches.Headley outscored Bradman on wet pitches and was abetter batsman on bad wickets.

Against pure fast bolwing Viv Richards was superior to Bradman if you asses how he demolished Dennis Lilee ,without a helmet ,averaging 86.2 in his first year in Packer Cricket.No batsman could change the complexion of a match more than Viv,particularly in one day Cricket.Remember the Don failed agaisnt bodyline wher Stan Mcabe overshadowed him .I think Viv would have batted like a champion against Larwood.

In the modern era Brian Lara has had the greatset batting prowess and is the best test match batsman,No batsman of the modern era has batted better in a crisis or displayed the ability to compile such mammoth scores,that too at such a breathtaking scoring rate.He has 9 200\’s compared to Sachin\’s 6,including atriple and a quadruple.Had he played for as trong West Indian team he would have been the best of all West Indian batsman.

In combined cricket Tendulkar is the greatset of all as Bradman or Sobers never played one day Cricket.His statistics of almost scoring 100 International centuries and 30,000 runs will never be equalled.No great batsman has ever been as consistent,or faced such great pressure.He posses every ingredient needed for the perfectbatsman even if he does not equal the prowess of Kanhai,Richards ,Sobers and Lara to shape the complexion of games.

No great batsman faced pace bowling as well as Gavaskar,who broke all the batting records in his daythat too without wearing a helmet.In the modern era he may well have averaged 58

Had Barry Richards had a full International career he would have been the greatset ever opening batsman and perhaps even surpassed the likes of Viv Richards,Lara or Tendulkar.No batsman combined such pefect techniqe with such phenomenal destructive ability.

.

When the chips were down we had greats like Ian Chappell,Javed Miandad and Allan Border who could bat for their lives.In his era Ian Chappell was the best batsman in a crisis even overshadowing both the Richards,and brother Greg in the 1970\’s.

Bradman statistically stands out with his phenomenal average of 99.94 which could be scaled to 75 in the modern day.With his phenomenal strike rate with Viv Richards he would have been the best match-winner.However he would have been the statistical champion and not the best batsman under pressure like Lara or Tendulkar.Remember Gavaskar and Viv Richards have faced the equivalent of bodyline bolwing better than Bradman,that too without any protective gear.That doesn\’t take away the fact that Bradman deserves the title of the king more than any batsman with his phenomenal performances.

I think cricket produced so many great test batsmen in which we cannot say who is actual best. Like domination on fast bowlers in aggressive version is Viv Richard and domination on fast bowlers in defensive mode is Gavaskar.

Statistically best Tendulkar, record maker and also most complete batsman Brian Lara and so on. Lara still hold the record of highest innings in test and first class at a time. He also holds so many other records too. We can also say record maker to Tendulkar as well in test cricket.

How can we ignore Rahul Dravid who scored near to 12000 runs in test cricket is itself a marvellous achievement. I think in test cricket, Dravid is the best batsman in current players. I think he is better than others in test because he played role of achor in his team. He scored 191 runs in current inning but see his impact of these runs. This match totally turn in his team favour. He came at 113 runs and left when score was 549 runs.

Harsh Thakor

Posted November 23, 2010 at 1:25 pm

Brian Lara is the greatest test match batsman of the modern era posessing more creative genius than any modern great with the extraordinary ability to innovate.His batting posessed the grace of lara’s theme.

Lara has been the best modern day test batsman in a crisis bearing the brunt of one of the weakest batting sides and scoring the highest average percentage score of a team’s total by any batsman since Sir George Headley.No batsman ever has compiled such a series of mammoth scores including a quadruple and a triple hundred amongst 9 200+scores.He has 3 double hundreds against Australia and one against South Africa.Lara has the best strike rate of any modern great of 60+ and in full flow was more dangerous than a Sachin Tendulkar.Lara’s epic match-winning 153 not out in 1999 against Australia at Barbados was amongst the top 3 best test innings of all time and the best ever in a run chase.Infact in that series he turned the fate of 2 tset matches and the series like no great batsman has done,Lara has a superior 4th innings average to Tendulkar.At his best his individual innings and test series performances were better than Ponting or Tendulkar,and he could turn the complexion of agame more than any modern great.
Had Brian played for a champion West Indian team he would have been the best of all West Indian batsman,overshadowing Sovers and Viv Richards.Inconsistency in Lara’s career is what overall placed Sachin ahead,but in pure test cricket Lara was a better batsman in a crisis.Remember until August 2009 in 2 ratings analysis on cricinfo Lara was the best test batsman after Bradman.

8. Tendulkar never scored any double hundred in front of Shane Warne or Murli. Lara five double hundred in case of either Warne or Murli.

9. Tendulkar batting average in calender years is four times less than 30 in which two times less than 20 and Lara only two times less than 30 in his whole career but he never had batting average less than 20 in any calender year in his entire career.

10. Tendulkar minimum batting average in any calender year is 17 and maximum 91.5 and Lara minimum 25.11 and maximum 74.66.

gopi

Posted December 10, 2010 at 1:56 am

were s Dravid n Kallis in ur list, they both are the best test players compared to any one in the modern cricket world. dont just calculate by the runs they scored and their averages,in test cricket skills s most important than runs.in that way dravid s the batsman who faced most number of balls in test cricket compared to anyone.

Dear All, I think comparison is not good idea between Tendulkar and Bradman. Both batsmen played in entire different conditions.

Bradman is best among his peers and now Tendulkar is the best one. But saying that his average is 99.94 and others not thats why he is best is not justice in my eyes.

Don played against amateurs of England’s bowlers and Tendulkar against pure professional bowlers like Murli, Warne, Walsh, Ambrose, Mcgrath, Donald, Pollock, Wasim, Waqar and so on.

43 bowlers in England took 100 or more in test and he faced only five of them, although it is not his fault but when anyone asked for the best then we should count every aspect not only batting average. Totaly six in which five from same country means 80% wicket takers from same opponent.

Also he never faced any quality leg spinner nor fast bowler, again it is not his fault. Those days cricket was easy. Fast medium only two bowlers, Tate and Bedser.

Also he never faced any all time history best off spinner. Jim Laker was there but he faced him in only three test matches when he started his career and he was an ordinary bowler at that time in 1948. Later on he build himself and also took 19 wickets after 1955 too. Verity and Mankad were not extra ordinary bowlers.

MIq

Posted January 24, 2011 at 12:08 pm

just Wonder how ppl can so carelessly omit Dravid when they are talking abt Test cricket..its something anybody hardly understands. Ponting and Dravid would share the same spot

Harsh Thakor

Posted February 12, 2011 at 2:33 am

When I re-analyse great batsman overall Sir Vivian Richards is at the top of the tree,with the exception of Bradman and Hobbs.No batsman has ever been as destructive against great pace bowling in both test and one day Cricket or made a greater impact.In full flow Viv Richards treated the best fast bowlers like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse and when walking to the crease literally resembled an emperor setting out to conquer every territory possible.

Sadly his Packer stats have not been counted,where he scored 1281 runs at a 55 run average per innings.From 1976-81 Richards dominated pace bowling more than Bradman ,and since the Don no batsman was as merciless .In his first season in 1977-78 in World Series Cricket he scored 862 runs at 86.2 including averaging 100 runs agaisnt the World 11.In England in 1976 his batting reached Bradmanesque proportions scoring 829 runs at 118.42 average.He may not have posessed the grace of Worrel or the technique of Sobers but no batsman equalled him for sheer ferocity.Lara or Tendulkar have never equalled Viv’s performances in the 1976 English season and his first year in Packer Cricket in Australia.

In 1979-80 in Austrlia he butchered the likes of Lillee in a one-day game at Melbourne scoring 153 not out treating the bowling like an executioner beheading a convict.In 1979-80 Viv Dominate both the tseta nd one day arena like no batsman ever averaging 96.5 in the tests and 85 in the one-day games.

Viv played for a champion team but remember he combated the likes of Imran,Lillee,and Hadlee like a champion ,with greater authority than Lara or Tendulakr played the likes of Glen Mcgrath or Wasim Akram,in recent times.Viv Topped the averages in 2 World Cups and was very close to the top in 1983.Viv may not have posessed the creative genius and mammoth run scoring of Brian Lara ,or the technical excellence and consistency of Sachin Tendulkar ,but in full flow would have outplayed both of them.Imagine Viv batting on the placid pitches of today ,where the bolwing atacks are weaker.Since 2000 many more batsmen have avergaed over 50 runs,than in previous periods as the pitches have become slower.True Tendulkar and Lara faced graeter pressure,but remember they wore helmets and played in an era where there was a restriction of 2 bouncers per over.In the modern era Richards would have played many more games and had opportunities agaisnt Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.From 1976-1988 Viv average 55 runs ,which wasabove the likes of great players like Greg Chappell,Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad.In his era the number of batsman who averaged above 50 were three times less than today,or in the last decade.

Richards’ best years were between 1976 and 1988. In 92 Tests during this period he scored 22 hundreds and was the only batsman to average more than 55 (among those who scored more than 4000). That was an era when several all-time greats were around – Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad are all listed in the table below – but Richards’ average was marginally higher than theirs (though he obviously didn’t have to face his own bowlers, who were easily the most fearsome attack during that period). He averaged more than 50 in 13 out of the 23 series he played during this period.

Cricinfo stats
The table below summarises Richards’ career series averages. Of the 29 series he played, 14 times he averaged more than 50, and less than 30 on just seven occasions, most of them coming either during the early years or at the end.

In one day Cricket Viv posessed a phenomenal strike rate and great batting average,and in full flow he literally set thunder on the cricket field.His vaege of 47 runs paeks for itself as well as the impact of his 50’s and centuries.

In the cricinfo anlaysis Viv is rated 7th and adding Packers stats he edged out Jacques Kallis,taking into account Kallis’s stats upto June 2009.However I still don’t rate Tendulkar,Lara or Ponting better.It becomes a difficult equation.True it would have been easier for Lara to play for Clive Lloyd’s team or Tendulkar playing for a top team of the 1970’s ,but would they have combated the best pace bolwing without ahelmet,like Sir Viv Richards.I doubt it.Yes,agaisnt great spinbolwing they would have outscored Viv .Vice-versa had Viv Played for the recent West Indian team he wouldhave faced much more pressure but it may have made him deploy his talents further.Playing for a champion team is sometimes a disdavantage.No stats analysis can do justice for Viv Richards.In a stats analyis analysing all factors Sachin would definitely win scoring 51 test Centuries and almost 100 International Centuries.Morally,inspite of Tendulkar’s recent herculean efforts I rate Viv Richards ahead,who resembled a gladiator walking to a stadium.

Below I wish to reproduce some stats of Alticain,a blogger from cricweb

” I can’t recall a single full Test series of Sachin where his performance was similar to Richard’s performance against Imran Khan & co. in Pakistan in 1980-81 (Windies batting total never crossed 300 in the entire series and Richards scored 350+ runs at an average of 70+, more than twice the average (and runs) of the next best batsman, no other top-order West Indian batsman averaged above 30 in that series! The team’s batting hung almost entirely on Richard’s shoulders). And yet Sachin is hyped to have had no batting support whatsoever for a major part of his career, while Richards succeeded only because of the support of Haynes and Greenidge. What an irony.

Contrastingly, Richards averages a healthy 47.61 in Tests against Dennis Lillee and Imran Khan (so much for Lillee-Imran effect on him). If you include Hadlee too, Richards averages a very decent 46.8. Interestingly Richards has scored more runs, at a better average against these bowlers (Imran,Lillee,Hadlee) than Gavaskar. Here is the link to the stats:
Batsmen stats against Lillee, Imran and Hadlee

Richards, at least, had a couple of towering “away” series against both Imran (at his peak in 1980-81) and Lillee (in 1978-79). Even his performances against peak Lillee+Thommo in 75-76 after he was asked to open the batting in Test match cricket (elevated from batting position 5 or 6) facing the fast bowlers when they were at their freshest and fastest, and the ball was it’s most new, were very good. He has had at least one high scoring series (300+ runs) with a 50+ average against each of Imran, Lillee and Hadlee.

HarshThakor

Posted February 12, 2011 at 2:33 am

When I re-analyse great batsman overall Sir Vivian Richards is at the top of the tree,with the exception of Bradman and Hobbs.No batsman has ever been as destructive against great pace bowling in both test and one day Cricket or made a greater impact.In full flow Viv Richards treated the best fast bowlers like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse and when walking to the crease literally resembled an emperor setting out to conquer every territory possible.

Sadly his Packer stats have not been counted,where he scored 1281 runs at a 55 run average per innings.From 1976-81 Richards dominated pace bowling more than Bradman ,and since the Don no batsman was as merciless .In his first season in 1977-78 in World Series Cricket he scored 862 runs at 86.2 including averaging 100 runs agaisnt the World 11.In England in 1976 his batting reached Bradmanesque proportions scoring 829 runs at 118.42 average.He may not have posessed the grace of Worrel or the technique of Sobers but no batsman equalled him for sheer ferocity.Lara or Tendulkar have never equalled Viv\’s performances in the 1976 English season and his first year in Packer Cricket in Australia.

In 1979-80 in Austrlia he butchered the likes of Lillee in a one-day game at Melbourne scoring 153 not out treating the bowling like an executioner beheading a convict.In 1979-80 Viv Dominate both the tseta nd one day arena like no batsman ever averaging 96.5 in the tests and 85 in the one-day games.

Viv played for a champion team but remember he combated the likes of Imran,Lillee,and Hadlee like a champion ,with greater authority than Lara or Tendulakr played the likes of Glen Mcgrath or Wasim Akram,in recent times.Viv Topped the averages in 2 World Cups and was very close to the top in 1983.Viv may not have posessed the creative genius and mammoth run scoring of Brian Lara ,or the technical excellence and consistency of Sachin Tendulkar ,but in full flow would have outplayed both of them.Imagine Viv batting on the placid pitches of today ,where the bolwing atacks are weaker.Since 2000 many more batsmen have avergaed over 50 runs,than in previous periods as the pitches have become slower.True Tendulkar and Lara faced graeter pressure,but remember they wore helmets and played in an era where there was a restriction of 2 bouncers per over.In the modern era Richards would have played many more games and had opportunities agaisnt Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.From 1976-1988 Viv average 55 runs ,which wasabove the likes of great players like Greg Chappell,Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad.In his era the number of batsman who averaged above 50 were three times less than today,or in the last decade.

Richards\’ best years were between 1976 and 1988. In 92 Tests during this period he scored 22 hundreds and was the only batsman to average more than 55 (among those who scored more than 4000). That was an era when several all-time greats were around – Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad are all listed in the table below – but Richards\’ average was marginally higher than theirs (though he obviously didn\’t have to face his own bowlers, who were easily the most fearsome attack during that period). He averaged more than 50 in 13 out of the 23 series he played during this period.

Cricinfo stats
The table below summarises Richards\’ career series averages. Of the 29 series he played, 14 times he averaged more than 50, and less than 30 on just seven occasions, most of them coming either during the early years or at the end.

In one day Cricket Viv posessed a phenomenal strike rate and great batting average,and in full flow he literally set thunder on the cricket field.His vaege of 47 runs paeks for itself as well as the impact of his 50\’s and centuries.

In the cricinfo anlaysis Viv is rated 7th and adding Packers stats he edged out Jacques Kallis,taking into account Kallis\’s stats upto June 2009.However I still don\’t rate Tendulkar,Lara or Ponting better.It becomes a difficult equation.True it would have been easier for Lara to play for Clive Lloyd\’s team or Tendulkar playing for a top team of the 1970\’s ,but would they have combated the best pace bolwing without ahelmet,like Sir Viv Richards.I doubt it.Yes,agaisnt great spinbolwing they would have outscored Viv .Vice-versa had Viv Played for the recent West Indian team he wouldhave faced much more pressure but it may have made him deploy his talents further.Playing for a champion team is sometimes a disdavantage.No stats analysis can do justice for Viv Richards.In a stats analyis analysing all factors Sachin would definitely win scoring 51 test Centuries and almost 100 International Centuries.Morally,inspite of Tendulkar\’s recent herculean efforts I rate Viv Richards ahead,who resembled a gladiator walking to a stadium.

Below I wish to reproduce some stats of Alticain,a blogger from cricweb

\” I can\’t recall a single full Test series of Sachin where his performance was similar to Richard\’s performance against Imran Khan & co. in Pakistan in 1980-81 (Windies batting total never crossed 300 in the entire series and Richards scored 350 runs at an average of 70 , more than twice the average (and runs) of the next best batsman, no other top-order West Indian batsman averaged above 30 in that series! The team\’s batting hung almost entirely on Richard\’s shoulders). And yet Sachin is hyped to have had no batting support whatsoever for a major part of his career, while Richards succeeded only because of the support of Haynes and Greenidge. What an irony.

Contrastingly, Richards averages a healthy 47.61 in Tests against Dennis Lillee and Imran Khan (so much for Lillee-Imran effect on him). If you include Hadlee too, Richards averages a very decent 46.8. Interestingly Richards has scored more runs, at a better average against these bowlers (Imran,Lillee,Hadlee) than Gavaskar. Here is the link to the stats:
Batsmen stats against Lillee, Imran and Hadlee

Richards, at least, had a couple of towering \”away\” series against both Imran (at his peak in 1980-81) and Lillee (in 1978-79). Even his performances against peak Lillee Thommo in 75-76 after he was asked to open the batting in Test match cricket (elevated from batting position 5 or 6) facing the fast bowlers when they were at their freshest and fastest, and the ball was it\’s most new, were very good. He has had at least one high scoring series (300 runs) with a 50 average against each of Imran, Lillee and Hadlee.

HarshThakor

Posted February 12, 2011 at 2:37 am

When I re-analyse great batsman overall Sir Vivian Richards is at the top of the tree,with the exception of Bradman and Hobbs.No batsman has ever been as destructive against great pace bowling in both test and one day Cricket or made a greater impact.In full flow Viv Richards treated the best fast bowlers like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse and when walking to the crease literally resembled an emperor setting out to conquer every territory possible.

Sadly his Packer stats have not been counted,where he scored 1281 runs at a 55 run average per innings.From 1976-81 Richards dominated pace bowling more than Bradman ,and since the Don no batsman was as merciless .In his first season in 1977-78 in World Series Cricket he scored 862 runs at 86.2 including averaging 100 runs agaisnt the World 11.In England in 1976 his batting reached Bradmanesque proportions scoring 829 runs at 118.42 average.He may not have posessed the grace of Worrel or the technique of Sobers but no batsman equalled him for sheer ferocity.Lara or Tendulkar have never equalled Viv\\\’s performances in the 1976 English season and his first year in Packer Cricket in Australia.

In 1979-80 in Austrlia he butchered the likes of Lillee in a one-day game at Melbourne scoring 153 not out treating the bowling like an executioner beheading a convict.In 1979-80 Viv Dominate both the tseta nd one day arena like no batsman ever averaging 96.5 in the tests and 85 in the one-day games.

Viv played for a champion team but remember he combated the likes of Imran,Lillee,and Hadlee like a champion ,with greater authority than Lara or Tendulakr played the likes of Glen Mcgrath or Wasim Akram,in recent times.Viv Topped the averages in 2 World Cups and was very close to the top in 1983.Viv may not have posessed the creative genius and mammoth run scoring of Brian Lara ,or the technical excellence and consistency of Sachin Tendulkar ,but in full flow would have outplayed both of them.Imagine Viv batting on the placid pitches of today ,where the bolwing atacks are weaker.Since 2000 many more batsmen have avergaed over 50 runs,than in previous periods as the pitches have become slower.True Tendulkar and Lara faced graeter pressure,but remember they wore helmets and played in an era where there was a restriction of 2 bouncers per over.In the modern era Richards would have played many more games and had opportunities agaisnt Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.From 1976-1988 Viv average 55 runs ,which wasabove the likes of great players like Greg Chappell,Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad.In his era the number of batsman who averaged above 50 were three times less than today,or in the last decade.

Richardsbest years were between 1976 and 1988. In 92 Tests during this period he scored 22 hundreds and was the only batsman to average more than 55 (among those who scored more than 4000). That was an era when several all-time greats were around – Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad are all listed in the table below – but Richards\\\’ average was marginally higher than theirs (though he obviously didn\\\’t have to face his own bowlers, who were easily the most fearsome attack during that period). He averaged more than 50 in 13 out of the 23 series he played during this period.

Cricinfo stats
The table below summarises Richards\\\’ career series averages. Of the 29 series he played, 14 times he averaged more than 50, and less than 30 on just seven occasions, most of them coming either during the early years or at the end.

In one day Cricket Viv posessed a phenomenal strike rate and great batting average,and in full flow he literally set thunder on the cricket field.His vaege of 47 runs paeks for itself as well as the impact of his 50\\\’s and centuries.

In the cricinfo anlaysis Viv is rated 7th and adding Packers stats he edged out Jacques Kallis,taking into account Kallis\\\’s stats upto June 2009.However I still don\\\’t rate Tendulkar,Lara or Ponting better.It becomes a difficult equation.True it would have been easier for Lara to play for Clive Lloyd\\\’s team or Tendulkar playing for a top team of the 1970\\\’s ,but would they have combated the best pace bolwing without ahelmet,like Sir Viv Richards.I doubt it.Yes,agaisnt great spinbolwing they would have outscored Viv .Vice-versa had Viv Played for the recent West Indian team he wouldhave faced much more pressure but it may have made him deploy his talents further.Playing for a champion team is sometimes a disdavantage.No stats analysis can do justice for Viv Richards.In a stats analyis analysing all factors Sachin would definitely win scoring 51 test Centuries and almost 100 International Centuries.Morally,inspite of Tendulkar’s recent herculean efforts I rate Viv Richards ahead,who resembled a gladiator walking to a stadium.

Below I wish to reproduce some stats of Alticain,a blogger from cricweb

” I can’t recall a single full Test series of Sachin where his performance was similar to Richard’s performance against Imran Khan & co. in Pakistan in 1980-81 (Windies batting total never crossed 300 in the entire series and Richards scored 350 runs at an average of 70 , more than twice the average (and runs) of the next best batsman, no other top-order West Indian batsman averaged above 30 in that series! The team’s batting hung almost entirely on Richard’s shoulders). And yet Sachin is hyped to have had no batting support whatsoever for a major part of his career, while Richards succeeded only because of the support of Haynes and Greenidge. What an irony.

Contrastingly, Richards averages a healthy 47.61 in Tests against Dennis Lillee and Imran Khan (so much for Lillee-Imran effect on him). If you include Hadlee too, Richards averages a very decent 46.8. Interestingly Richards has scored more runs, at a better average against these bowlers (Imran,Lillee,Hadlee) than Gavaskar. Here is the link to the stats:
Batsmen stats against Lillee, Imran and Hadlee

Richards, at least, had a couple of towering away” series against both Imran (at his peak in 1980-81) and Lillee (in 1978-79). Even his performances against peak Lillee Thommo in 75-76 after he was asked to open the batting in Test match cricket (elevated from batting position 5 or 6) facing the fast bowlers when they were at their freshest and fastest, and the ball was its most new, were very good. He has had at least one high scoring series (300 runs) with a 50 average against each of Imran, Lillee and Hadlee.

shakir hasnain

Posted May 26, 2011 at 6:59 am

I guess Sunil …He played against genunine pace and showed great character and courage. Tendulkar, icon he may very well be, does not seem all that convincing against genuine fast bowling. Medium pace never troubled him though.

Viv was the best batsman of all time- Only my opinion …

Respectfully,
The man who knew too much
Shakir Hasnain

Surinder Kumar

Posted July 7, 2011 at 9:18 pm

You saw Bradman playing? I didn’t; people vote bardman as numero uno because of prejudice.. sachin is the best; who played with a pressure of 1 billion people day in and day out and still came out with almost 100 international 100s and a 200 in ODIs…..who is the greatest?

ankush 1991

Posted July 14, 2011 at 4:29 am

in my view sehwag is the best test batsmen of all time for a guy having an average of 54 with strike rate of over 80 in test cricket is mind blowing he is ruthless against fast bowlers and never allow spinners to stetle down .people say how well lara played murali i say look at the way sehwag destroyed murali he smashed him all over the park in his innings of 290 vs srilanka there will never be an batsmen like sehwag again when he is at the crease the rune rate is in the fifth gear and he is an opening batsman too so has to face the new ball too

Hope you don’t mind a 50 year old female joining your cricket club. You’ve certainly brought back some memories for me with your list! My dad was a real cricket lover – he and his younger brother played for their local team back in the 1930s and 1940s, stopped for a while when they joined the army during the second world war, and then began again in the late 1940s until the early 1960s.

Needless to say, I was brought up on high doses of cricket – whether it be on TV or on Radio 4 if we happened to be on holiday when there was a test match and didn’t have access to a TV!

I commend you on your favourites – must have taken you ages to select five. My most memorable pair of batsmen though were Tony Greig and Alan Knott. Whenever I watch a good pair of batsmen on the pitch my mind always seems to drift back to them. Talk about the long and short of it